Bulletin is a premium, B2B wholesale marketplace where retailers and buyers go to discover, shop and support the best brands on the planet. So this episode is highly relevant to anyone listening in who has a product based business and wants to work with cool retailers to sell their products and reach new audiences.

 We’re chatting about the humbles origins of Bulletin starting as as e-comm newsletter and how that grew into popups, retail stores and went on to be accepted into Y-Combinator which lead to a major pivot into a thriving tech platform... we’re talking about Ali’s top 3 pointers if you want to pitch for VC money and - important to note she just released a really bloody cool book about her journey and you should absolutely check it out, I have linked it in the show notes and it’s called How to build a goddamn empire.

The Humble Beginnings of Bulletin

Bulletin started as a little e-commerce newsletter, but it quickly blossomed into a premium B2B wholesale marketplace. You know, the kind where retailers and buyers can discover and support the best brands out there. Ali and her co-founder, Alana, had a lightbulb moment at ages 23 and 24—they wanted to create something creative and fulfilling. It was a side project that ended up being a game-changer! Ali wrote all the articles for the newsletter, and after securing a $20,000 grant, they took the plunge into the business full-time. Talk about a leap of faith!

Spreading the Word: Tips from Ali

One of the first things Ali did was reach out to everyone she knew—friends, family, and even colleagues at their full-time jobs. She didn’t hold back! It’s all about leveraging your network and shamelessly broadcasting your project to the world. As women entrepreneurs, they recognized that they needed to prove themselves. Unfortunately, in the venture capital world, women often face higher scrutiny than their male counterparts. While men are often judged by their potential, women need to come to the table with a proven track record. So, Ali and Alana had to optimize for scale and revenue to get noticed.

The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship

Here’s the real talk: building a business is tough. Ali candidly shares that it’s a rollercoaster ride with plenty of ups and downs. Mistakes are going to happen, and that’s completely normal! Instead of letting failure derail you, it’s about asking, “What is this teaching me?” and using those lessons to move forward. It’s all about perseverance, and Ali’s journey is a testament to that.

From Pop-Ups to Y-Combinator

Bulletin didn’t just stop at newsletters. They transitioned to pop-up markets and brick-and-mortar stores, all while applying to every accelerator and grant they could find. Their innovative technology program allowed brands to choose their spot in these pop-up markets, which eventually helped them get accepted into Y-Combinator, the best tech accelerator in the world. It was a massive pivot that unlocked new opportunities!

Mastering the Art of Pitching

Now, let’s talk about pitching. With $10 million in funding under her belt, Ali knows a thing or two about what works and what doesn’t. Here’s her advice: as a founder, you need to know your business inside and out. If you go into a pitch with half-baked ideas or lack confidence, investors will pick up on that immediately. Women, in particular, need to bring actual revenue to the table, as they’re often scrutinized more than male founders.

Ali suggests doing practice pitches with industry peers to refine your approach. It’s all about anticipating the tough questions and being prepared to address them. You’ve got to present undeniable data and have a clear vision for how your business will scale and ultimately succeed.

The Vision for Success

Investors want to know how your business is going to be massive. You need to communicate a compelling exit strategy—how your company will go public and potentially become a billion-dollar business. What sets you apart from the competition? Ali emphasizes the importance of showing your brand’s unique voice and market differentiation.

Conclusion: Building Your Empire

So there you have it—wisdom straight from Ali Kriegsman on how to pitch, pivot, and build your empire. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, take these tips to heart! Remember, the journey is going to be challenging, but with resilience and a clear vision, you can achieve incredible things.

Make sure to check out Ali’s new book, How to Build a Goddamn Empire, linked in the show notes. You won’t want to miss it!